Probate Real Estate Services for a House That Is Part of Something Larger

I read it myself and reply by phone or email, whichever you picked. My first reply usually has a few questions about the property and your role, and an offer of a time to talk.

Nothing is listed, signed, or committed by sending the form, and your details are used only to respond to your request. If you would rather just talk it through first, that is completely fine too.

Usually within one business day. Messages sent in the evening or over a weekend are typically answered the next business morning.

If something is time sensitive, like a property that is not secure or a deadline set by the court or your attorney, say so in your message or call directly, and I will get back to you as quickly as I can.

No. Most people who contact me do not know yet whether probate is needed, who has authority, or whether to sell at all, and that is exactly the right time to call. Sorting out those first questions is a big part of what I do.

Bring whatever you have, even if it is just an address and a few worries. I will help you work out the next step on the real estate side and which questions to take to an attorney. If you want a head start, the probate guide and the checklists are good reading.

Very little at first: the property address, your role in the estate or trust, and your attorney's name if you have one. That is enough for a first conversation and an initial look at value.

Before the home is listed, the title company and I will need the document showing who has authority to sell. In a probate, that is usually the letters issued by the court. For a trust, it is usually a certification of trust, a short summary confirming who the trustee is. Copies are perfect. Please hold on to your originals.

Talking with me costs nothing, and neither does an honest opinion of what the property is worth or a Property Options Review. There is no retainer and nothing to pay up front.

If you decide to list, my commission is spelled out in a written listing agreement and paid from the sale proceeds at closing, so it does not come out of anyone's pocket along the way. In a court supervised probate sale, the commission can also be subject to the court's approval, and your attorney can walk you through how that works for your estate.

Yes, and it is one of the most common situations I see. Plenty of the executors and trustees I work with live in another state, and the sale runs smoothly without them flying in. I arrange access, meet vendors at the house, and send regular written updates with photos, so you always know what is happening.

Most documents can be signed electronically or with a notary near you. A few steps, like a court hearing or certain notarized signatures, depend on the attorney and the title company, and they will tell you what has to happen in person. The out-of-area heirs and trustees page covers how it all works from a distance.